Would you Buy a Chair that Looks and Feels Like Human Flesh?

Gigi Barker, the founder of the 9191 design studio, has her latest offering now in store. For approximately CAD$2750, you can nab yourself one of Barker’s ‘Skin Chairs’, a seat made to look, feel, and smell like human flesh.

Barker found an anonymous model for the flesh form and texture, created a silicone cast, and moulded leather over it. To round out the verity of the experience she went on to infuse the leather-flesh with a mix of pheromones and aftershave -- the 'smell' aspect (as I'm sure you were curious).

Undeniably, the furnishings give their user “a fully sensorial experience” – though we can only imagine it feels like plopping down on Santa’s exposed, jolly belly. To really sink into it, a matching ‘Skin Stool’ is also available for around CAD$1600.

The pieces are intended to encourage users to think about their own skin and bodies, which Barker hopes will produce a unique experience for every sitter.

Flesh Chair, stool, and flesh dress on Gigi Barker.

Interestingly, it is children that have so far been the biggest fans of the pieces. Barker told Wired.co.uk, "Without any of the hang ups we later develop, they are free to truly explore and interact with the work. Work regarding the human body is very personal and we all have a very immediate reaction to it so the reactions have reflected this."

Part art, part furnishings, the flesh designs are both intriguing and confronting -- in a make-your-skin-crawl kind of a way.

If you love the feel of the chair and stool, you're in luck: Barker has more to come from this fleshy vein, the next being a dress made of the same material, to drape over your own naked leather. Excited?